NEW YORK — Boston should be happy to pay this tax bill.
The World Series champion Red Sox owe US$11,951,091 in luxury tax for having baseball’s top payroll, according to final calculations by the commissioner’s office obtained by The Associated Press.

LAS VEGAS — The Blue Jays youth movement went next level here on Thursday morning.
The rebuilding team officially ended the annual winter meetings with somewhat of a shocker by selecting 18-year-old pitcher Elvis Luciano from the Kansas City Royals organization in the Rule 5 draft.

NEW YORK — Jose Canseco is ready to take a swing at politics.
The former major league slugger has made his pitch for a big job at the White House, tweeting Wednesday to President Donald Trump: “u need a bash brother for Chief if (sic) Staff.

LAS VEGAS — If the Blue Jays can say so long to Troy Tulowitzki — and fill his boots with $38 million US as a parting gift as they did on Tuesday — can veteran catcher Russell Martin be next?
Toronto general manager Ross Atkins certainly isn’t ruling it out, even though the Canadian-born catcher carries the heavy weight of a $20 million U.

Hal Lanier’s days as manager of the Ottawa Champions are done.
The Can-Am League team announced Wednesday that the 76-year-old former major league infielder, coach and manager is being replaced by Sebastien Boucher, a player-coach with the Champions under Lanier since the team’s inception in 2015.

LAS VEGAS — Figuratively at least like their brethren in Major League Baseball the Blue Jays will have a seat at the high rollers table for the annual winter meetings swap and sign fest here in Sin City this week.